Sugar - caneSugar - cane

BY:BY: JoziJozi

History of sugarHistory of sugar

Sugar cane is a grass and the source of Sugar cane is a grass and the source of 70% of the world's sugar which is 70% of the world's sugar which is extracted from the sweet, juicy stems. extracted from the sweet, juicy stems. Sugar's long history has included its Sugar's long history has included its spread from New Guinea to South Asia, spread from New Guinea to South Asia, then with Arab farmers to the then with Arab farmers to the Mediterranean, and - most notoriously - as Mediterranean, and - most notoriously - as the foundation of the Caribbean slave the foundation of the Caribbean slave trade.trade.

Growing caneGrowing cane

Sugar cane is a sub-tropical and tropical crop Sugar cane is a sub-tropical and tropical crop that prefers lots of sun and lots of water - that prefers lots of sun and lots of water - provided that its roots are not waterlogged. It provided that its roots are not waterlogged. It typically takes about 12 months to reach typically takes about 12 months to reach maturity although the time varies widely around maturity although the time varies widely around the world from as short as six months in the world from as short as six months in Louisiana to 24 months in some places. Where Louisiana to 24 months in some places. Where it differs from many crops is that it re-grows it differs from many crops is that it re-grows from the roots so the plant lasts many cycles from the roots so the plant lasts many cycles [or 'ratoons', a word derived from the Spanish [or 'ratoons', a word derived from the Spanish to sprout] before it is worn out to sprout] before it is worn out

Harvesting Harvesting

Sugar cane is harvested by chopping Sugar cane is harvested by chopping down the stems but leaving the roots so down the stems but leaving the roots so that it re-grows in time for the next crop. that it re-grows in time for the next crop. Harvest times tend to be during the dry Harvest times tend to be during the dry season and the length of the harvest season and the length of the harvest ranges from as little as 2 ½ months up to ranges from as little as 2 ½ months up to 11 months. The cane is taken to the 11 months. The cane is taken to the factory: often by truck or rail wagon but factory: often by truck or rail wagon but sometimes on a cart pulled by a bullock or sometimes on a cart pulled by a bullock or a donkey a donkey

How we affect itHow we affect it

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